Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Two individuals died after collapsing while undergoing border formalities at Beitbridge border post in Matabeleland South province between Friday and Saturday.
Authorities confirmed the first victim was a South African truck driver transporting peas from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube, Beitbridge District Police Commander, stated the 48-year-old collapsed on Saturday around 4pm while completing exit procedures.
“The driver had just returned to his vehicle after passport stamping at the southbound truck export yard when he suddenly collapsed and died,” said Chief Supt Ncube. “Investigations revealed he had complained of feeling unwell in his work WhatsApp group the previous day.”
The second incident occurred on Friday when a diabetic passenger from Murehwa died during a customs inspection. The man, travelling with his 21-year-old son on a Best Express Logistics bus from Pretoria, had shown visible signs of illness during the journey.
“His legs were noticeably swollen when boarding in South Africa,” Chief Supt Ncube explained. “The bus was recalled to the border for a customs reassessment after being stopped at a Chicago-area checkpoint near Masvingo.”
During the customs process around 10am, the son realised his father was unresponsive. Port health officials and police attended the scene before transferring the body to Beitbridge District Mortuary.
Both cases are being treated as sudden deaths. Police are contacting the deceaseds’ next of kin while post-mortem examinations are pending.
Bongani Ndlovu